European countries are continuing to see declines in new COVID-19 cases, with some nations also gradually releasing patients from intensive care.
Italy Releases 53 ICU Patients
53 coronavirus patients in Italy have been moved out of intensive care units (ICUs) on Monday, the Civil Protection department revealed.
According to The Local Italy, the number of ICU patients in the country is now below 2,000, marking a new trend in gradual recoveries in what was once the hardest-hit country outside China.
Furthermore, 83,504 of the people who contracted the COVID-19 strain are in self-isolation in their homes, while 20,353 others are receiving treatment in non-intensive care facilities.
As of Monday, Italy logged 197,675 confirmed coronavirus cases and 26,644 deaths.
Spain Experts Preparing for De-Escalation
Spain's coronavirus death toll topped 23,500 on Tuesday but health experts believe the curve has been flattened and they are now on the road towards a potential de-escalation plan to help the public get back to life as usual, The Local Spain reported.
Over the weekend, the government has been gradually easing the nationwide lockdown that kept citizens inside their homes. Children have finally been allowed to leave their residences and it is expected that more easing will be implemented in the coming days.
As of Monday, Spain registered 226,629 confirmed COVID-19 cases. It remains the second hardest-hit country in the world.
France Reports Over 400 New Deaths
France on Monday reported a spike in new fatalities from the coronavirus as 437 patients succumbed to the highly-infectious disease.
The said figure is a significant increase from Sunday's toll of 242. Despite the news regarding new fatalities, the country also logged a decrease of 74 patients in intensive care units.
The news came amid anticipation for Prime Minister Edouard Philippe's announcement this week regarding the path that France will take as it gradually eases out of the lockdown by the second week of May.
France registered 160,847 confirmed coronavirus cases and 23,293 deaths so far.
COVID-19 Infection in Germany Picks Up Speed Again
A resurgence in new coronavirus cases has been recorded in Germany as the country starts to ease up on anti-coronavirus measures.
Data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) on Tuesday indicated that the reproduction rate of the COVID-19 strain in the country went up again to around 1.0 percent.
Amid the release of the new reproduction rate figures, RKI president Lothar Wieler warned that Germany doesn't want additional coronavirus cases. He reiterated the importance of staying at home if citizens do not have important matters to do outside.
Wieler's comments echoed that of German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has discouraged state officials from easing out of the lockdown too fast as more federal states push for opening up.
As of Monday, Germany logged 157,770 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 5,976 deaths. It is the fourth hardest-hit country in Europe.
BBC Probe Shows Potential Failure in Securing Protective Equipment
A BBC investigation released on Tuesday indicated that the British government may have failed to secure the necessary protective equipment that will help the United Kingdom deal with the coronavirus outbreak.
Some staff under the National Health Service told the news outlet that their lives were put at risk due to the shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) that should have helped reduce the number of fatalities and infections among healthcare providers.
The biggest shortage was recorded in hospital gowns. The health system also reportedly lacked body bags, visors, and swabs. However, the government said previously that it has taken appropriate steps to ensure that PPE stocks will last.
As of Monday, the U.K. recorded 152,840 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 20,732 deaths.
